Q&A with Yanks 37th Rnd Pick Charles Basford

Matthew Whitney

06/12/2012

The Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Charles Basford in the 37th round out of Samford University. He sat down with us for a Q&A session to talk about being drafted by the Yankees, who he would compare his game to at the big league level, his strengths and weaknesses, and more.

PinstripesPlus.com: Tell us what is going through your mind after being selected by a team like the Yankees.

Charles Basford: It was a pretty proud moment and with the reputation that this organization has, I was beyond excited when I found out I was drafted by the Yankees.

PinstripesPlus.com: Were you surprised it was the Yankees that selected you? Had you and the Yankees talked much before the draft?

Basford: I was a little bit surprised being drafted by the Yankees because I didn't talk to many people within the organization prior to the draft. I filled out a questionnaire for the team but besides talking the area scout a time or two, I didn't have much contact with the team.

PinstripesPlus.com: Do you have any idea what the Yankees' organization or farm system is like?

Basford: I played on the field in Charleston because we had to play a team this season that used the field as well for their games. I also know that the organization has a very good farm system and I am ready to be a part of it.

PinstripesPlus.com: What type of pitches do you throw and at what speeds? Give us a scouting report please - what are your strengths and what do you need to work on the most?

Basford: I have a four-seam fastball from 88-92 mph, a sinker 87-89, a changeup that's about 79-81 mph, and a slider that sits 78-80 mph. I'm a sinker ball pitcher though.

PinstripesPlus.com: Did you have a favorite team growing up or a favorite player?

Basford: I liked the Braves because I am from the Sanford region and in the south a lot of people liked the team growing up but I truly didn't have a favorite team until high school which was actually the Dodgers. Roy Halladay is my favorite player because as a pitcher you have to appreciate how dominant of a pitcher he is and just how good he is at his craft.

PinstripesPlus.com: Who would you compare your stuff to at the Major League level so Yankees' fans can get an idea of what you're like on the mound? And why?

Basford: I would compare my game to Tim Hudson because he works off sinker ball a lot when he pitches and I like to base my game off the sinker as well.

PinstripesPlus.com: What would you say is your best moment in baseball and why?

Basford: Just this last weekend when I pitched in the Tallahassee regional, I pitched the first game against Mississippi State and was able to shut them out during the game. It was an awesome feeling because that start was kind of a homecoming for me since I went to school in Tallahassee as well as a big win for the team.

PinstripesPlus.com: Do you think the pressures of pitching in New York might be a problem?

Basford: That would be an unbelievable feeling to pitch in Yankee stadium. I went to a game in the old Yankee stadium and the atmosphere was awesome and pitching in the new Yankee Stadium to me would be unbelievable.

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\r\n \r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: Tell us what is going through your mind after being selected by a team like the Yankees.\r\n\r\nCharles Basford: It was a pretty proud moment and with the reputation that this organization has, I was beyond excited when I found out I was drafted by the Yankees.\r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: Were you surprised it was the Yankees that selected you? Had you and the Yankees talked much before the draft?\r\n\r\nBasford: I was a little bit surprised being drafted by the Yankees because I didn't talk to many people within the organization prior to the draft. I filled out a questionnaire for the team but besides talking the area scout a time or two, I didn't have much contact with the team.\r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: Do you have any idea what the Yankees' organization or farm system is like?\r\n\r\nBasford: I played on the field in Charleston because we had to play a team this season that used the field as well for their games. I also know that the organization has a very good farm system and I am ready to be a part of it.\r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: What type of pitches do you throw and at what speeds? Give us a scouting report please - what are your strengths and what do you need to work on the most?\r\n\r\nBasford: I have a four-seam fastball from 88-92 mph, a sinker 87-89, a changeup that's about 79-81 mph, and a slider that sits 78-80 mph. I'm a sinker ball pitcher though.\r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: Did you have a favorite team growing up or a favorite player?\r\n\r\nBasford: I liked the Braves because I am from the Sanford region and in the south a lot of people liked the team growing up but I truly didn't have a favorite team until high school which was actually the Dodgers. Roy Halladay is my favorite player because as a pitcher you have to appreciate how dominant of a pitcher he is and just how good he is at his craft.\r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: Who would you compare your stuff to at the Major League level so Yankees' fans can get an idea of what you're like on the mound? And why?\r\n\r\nBasford: I would compare my game to Tim Hudson because he works off sinker ball a lot when he pitches and I like to base my game off the sinker as well.\r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: What would you say is your best moment in baseball and why?\r\n\r\nBasford: Just this last weekend when I pitched in the Tallahassee regional, I pitched the first game against Mississippi State and was able to shut them out during the game. It was an awesome feeling because that start was kind of a homecoming for me since I went to school in Tallahassee as well as a big win for the team.\r\n\r\nPinstripesPlus.com: Do you think the pressures of pitching in New York might be a problem?\r\n\r\nBasford: That would be an unbelievable feeling to pitch in Yankee stadium. I went to a game in the old Yankee stadium and the atmosphere was awesome and pitching in the new Yankee Stadium to me would be unbelievable. \r\n\r\n

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